witesoxfan

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Oct 12, 2010 -> 12:05 AM) The "Wow, that sucks" part referred to us not being able to offer anything less than $18M to Manny, not to us making an offer to Konerko. Maybe that's what confused some people. No, it was the question marks and the ellipse in the second half.

QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 08:39 PM) For the time being there are only 2 ways to win the AL pennant: The first way is to spend like the Yankees and Red Sox, on both the Major league and Minor League levels. The second way is to go into the s***ter for a 5 year period, and emerge with the amount of talent that the Rays have built over the last 5-7 years. Another note: When you spend or draft, at the end of the process, you must possess 2 pitchers with #1 stuff, one of which pitches like a #1, and the other of which pitches like a #2 or #3. The period between 2004-2008 was special because the Yankees made some really bad contract choices. When the marquee free agents returned to the market it was back to this way. As long as the Yankees have a $200 MM payroll and spend it wisely, these are the only ways to compete with them. It does not matter what you do, The Yankees will always win unless you have somewhere close to the amount of talent that they do. This is why, IMO there should be a cap of a $150 MM payroll in baseball. Unfortunately, there is a more level playing field in the NL. QUOTE (WsoxKillCubs @ Oct 10, 2010 -> 09:23 PM) I would love a $150 MM cap. It makes so much sense it's rediculous. I hate the Yankees, they should have no pride in winning a WS with a higher payroll than an NL All-Star team. A $150 million salary cap would accomplish virtually nothing except handicapping two teams that have sustainable competitive advantages over the rest of the league, and that's simply not fair to the Yankees or Red Sox, who are the biggest revenue generators in the majors. There were 6 teams with a payroll over $120 million this season. The White Sox are actually one of the 8 that had their entire roster get paid more than $100 million and I believe they ended up spending about $101 mill with the additions of Jackson and Ramirez. At this point in time, a salary cap really doesn't make sense.

Hey J4L - our wishes have been granted This has the makings to be a phenomenal series.

is it March yet

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 06:46 PM) If you want that argument, that's fine. But also understand, it backs up my argument and KW's way of thinking even more. They realize they're not great at evaluating amateur talent, so they go ahead, and trade them when they're at their peak for guys who will be useful. Chris Young, Clayton Richard, Dan Hudson, Ryan Sweeney, Gio Gonzalez, Brandon Allen, Chris Carter, Brandon McCarthy, Chris Getz, Aaron Cunningham...I'm sure there are a few others who are solid prospects still too (like Daniel Cortes). Not all of these guys are good or great players, but all of them should be serviceable players in the majors at some point in time. I also don't think they traded Hudson at his peak value, but that's neither here nor there.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Oct 11, 2010 -> 11:28 AM) What did I do wrong? You seemed confused in your post, and so he quoted that post that has the article outlining how arbitration works to clear up any confusions you may have had.

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Oct 9, 2010 -> 06:30 PM) The Sox took on $120M in new contracts in 2009. And that $120 million was committed to 2 players over a 4-5 year stretch, which is roughly $20-30 million in payroll each season. The Sox payroll, if it is going to go up, is not going to go up by much.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 10:57 AM) To be fair, there's never any talk of Ozzie being on the hot seat either. It's always just fan speculation (for both teams, I'd imagine). I also wouldn't be surprised to see Gardenhire let go this year or in the next few years if this keeps up. You are right that there needs to a point where enough is enough. With regard to Ozzie, I don't think he's ever been on the hot seat. It was a matter of whether he wanted to stay or not. Williams said to the media that his job was there if he wanted it, but that he could leave too, and they would just hire someone else.

Manny Ramirez Johnny Damon

QUOTE (sircaffey @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 11:21 AM) In addition, Crawford's high WAR number is largely due to his fantastic defense. That's fine and dandy, but the White Sox are absolutely starved for offense, and those are the numbers they should be most concerned with, especially if it costs 20% of your payroll. Crawford was actually really good offensively this year, and you may be able to assume more offense from him moving from a great pitchers park to a hitters park. He actually is beginning to remind me more and more of Johnny Damon as he goes along, but I think he's better too.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 10:08 AM) I was just thinking about the bad umpiring so far. It has to be a concern. We saw enough bad umpiring during the regular season (although most of what we saw was the Joe West crew being assholes). I'd be pissed if those bad calls were affecting my team in the playoffs. Well, to be fair, bad umpiring did affect your team in the playoffs, and as a direct result, they won a World Series. I'm just glad I'm not an Angels or Astros fan.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 10:01 AM) That's an old story. Or I have psychic visions without even realizing it. This is an update though. His ex-girlfriend had accused him of having HIV without telling him when he was with a different woman who supported him. That same woman who supported him became his wife, and then his ex-wife, and she is now claiming the same exact things as the ex-girlfriend.

I do absolutely stunning impersonations of Chris Cornell and Steve Perry.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 08:54 AM) It's essentially just saying why you're introductory paragraph is correct. Yeah. But they still suck. I got it done though, so I'm good.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 07:24 AM) But not nearly as above average as his "tools" suggest he should be, and if you were trading for him...you'd still wind up paying a premium price for those "tools". I agree, and I don't think trading for Upton is worth it unless you can get him at a discount, and I don't see that happening.

Writing conclusions for papers f***ing sucks

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Oct 7, 2010 -> 03:31 PM) And the Sox don't? Or we're not going to count Beckham, Santos, and Morel next year? Or we're not going to count Alexei or Viciedo? And we don't count Buehrle or PK? The sox have done a better job than most at keeping players who will be useful to them. Are they great at drafting? No, they're probably mediocre, but they're smart enough to realize that and make adjustments. As far as the Yankees, I don't think most of their bullpen is homegrown. I'd probably say maybe 3 guys tops. All Beckham has proven at this point is that he can be a league average 2Bman. Santos had a solid, though overrated season - he showed that he can bring it at the major league level, but he allowed an absolute ton of baserunners. I do think he will improve in that regard next year. Alexei is good, but he was pretty refined when the Sox brought him in - I don't see how that is any different than the Yankees bringing in Alfonso Soriano. Morel and Viciedo haven't proven jack s***. If you want to include Buehrle, then the Yankees can counter with Andy Pettitte and then tack on the greatest closer of all time. They also have a hall of fame shortstop too, and a borderline Hall of Fame catcher. And no, you don't count Paul Konerko. Paul Konerko has spent a grand total of 4 games in the White Sox minor league system - in 2008. Paul Konerko was developed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. I was wrong about the Yankees pen, as they only have Joba, Mo, and Robertson that they've drafted and developed.

Because I had to throw this somewhere White Sox record vs White Sox record vs >.500 teams - 38-47 Twins record vs Twins record vs >.500 teams - 50-42 (take out the 18 games between the Twins and Sox White Sox record vs >.500 teams w/o Twins - 33-32 Twins record vs >.500 teams w/o White Sox - 37-37 I think you can argue that the White Sox were better than the Twins EXCEPT when the White Sox were actually playing the Twins. You might be wrong, but you atleast have an argument.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Oct 8, 2010 -> 01:18 AM) Halladay and Lincecum got me doin' a total 180. It's rare for two pitchers of this caliber to have the October stage the same year. I know one thing, I'm clearing my schedule for any potential Halladay/Lincecum showdown(s). Hopefully a family member doesn't die or something and the funeral is scheduled the same night. I actually think we see it quite a bit - hell, Lee-Sabathia was quite similar last year. What you don't see are two pitchers of that caliber put up the ridiculously dominant games that both Halladay and Lincecum did. Those two might throw dueling perfect games into the 12th inning if they do match up against one another.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 7, 2010 -> 08:27 PM) Upton is a guy I just don't want. He simply has a major hole in his game; he strikes out too much. He's going to be a upper .700's OPS player unless he either gets down to 120 or fewer strikeouts or he hits 40+ HR. The only way he had a really good season was to put up a ridiculously high BABIP. You're going to hate the comparison for obvious reasons...but it's the Jordan Danks rule. If he can't cut down on the strikeouts, no matter how hard he hits the ball when he puts the bat on it, he will be an average hitter. Anywho...the thing to consider on the Rays is that they have 1 OF ready to take over, and they have 1 OF departing this year. They're not going to want to replace 2 OF's. And I don't think we'd match up with them anyway, since they're pitching-loaded and they happen to be strong at 3b, which is the position where we have 1 of our top guys. Because he is definitely an above average player.

That's the kind of postseason appearance I remember from Chad Qualls.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Oct 7, 2010 -> 10:42 PM) Yet people here bow to his alter. High high comedy Because he outmanages Guillen virtually 100% of the time.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Oct 7, 2010 -> 11:20 PM) Hamels > Sanchez. But Sanchez is one of those guys that dazzles when he's on. Roy/Oswalt vs Lincy/Cain is a wash. And the Giants easily have the better bullpen. But the Phillies obviously have the better offense. Will be a sick match-up if it happens. And here you wanted Reds/Giants the whole time. I feel like you've cheated on me.

Odalis Perez wants to make a comeback. (I think) I actually saw his name mentioned and wondered where the hell he'd gone, and sure as s***, his name popped up on a Spanish website.

Halladay is a superior pitcher, but I wouldn't suggest that Peavy is a mediocre pitcher by any stretch of the imagination. Peavy's injury was brutal to the Sox, but if he comes back and remains healthy next year, the Sox are going to be dangerous simply because of how much pitching they have.